“Gerrin’ on wi’ it” podcast series – episode 9

Uncategorized Friday 14 August 2026

Equal exchange of ideas: from conversation to collaboration

What happens when researchers and community members come together as equal partners?

In this episode of Gerrin’ on wi’ it, host Lauren Cox speaks with Rich Crisp from Sheffield Hallam University and TJ Clark from the YPIP Community Panel about how a single conversation led to a collaborative research project exploring an often-overlooked part of the adult social care system.  

Together, Rich and TJ discuss personal budgets, personal assistants (PAs), and the unique employer-employee relationships that emerge when people employ their own care. They share why this area has been largely invisible in policy and research, how lived experience reshaped the design of the study, and what a genuine co-design approach looks like in practice.  

The conversation explores inclusive employment, ethical and innovative research methods, and the value of bringing researchers and community members together as equal partners. Rich and TJ reflect on the trust, curiosity and mutual respect that have underpinned their collaboration, and discuss what other researchers can learn about putting co-production at the heart of their work.  

About the speakers

TJ Clark (they/them) is a member of the YPIP panel and a former Hull Poverty Truth community commissioner. They are a Tier 2 Oliver McGowan Co-trainer and part of a team working on the local Hull Autism Strategy. TJ also volunteers as a member of the steering group for a local trans and non-binary peer support group. 

Rich Crisp is a researcher at Sheffield Hallam University where he works with local government and the voluntary sector to explore ways of creating more inclusive and sustainable communities. He is the lead for YPIP on a package of work that explores what good work means and how we can improve job quality in the local economy, with a particular focus on the adult social care sector. 

At time of recording, Lauren is the Communications and Engagement Manager for The Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP). She has over 5 years of experience working with the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector across Luton and Bedfordshire in roles with the local authority and within a criminal justice charity. Lauren’s career has been centred around collaboration and partnerships and facilitating spaces and environments for voices to be heard. In July 2026, Lauren joined Leeds Institute for Societal Futures in July 2026 as the External Engagement Manager.   

About the podcast

“Gerrin’ on wi’ it” is a podcast series brought to you by YPIP, Y-PERN and the Leeds University Business school’s Research and Innovation podcast about collaboration in Yorkshire and the Humber which showcases the people, partnerships, and ideas driving collaborative change across the region. The title – a Yorkshire phrase meaning “getting on with it” – captures the spirit of practical, no-nonsense collaboration that characterises the region’s approach to tackling complex challenges.

The series explores how universities, local authorities, combined authorities, and communities work together to address shared priorities – from economic growth and early years education to community wellbeing and regional development. At its heart, the podcast tells the story of Yorkshire and the Humber as England’s trailblazer for academic-policy engagement.

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